Duško Prolušić
Become a Magician
Contents Trick No. 1
Make the water disappear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Trick No. 2
The napkin vanishes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Trick No. 3
Magic rubber bands change places . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Trick No. 4
The paper changes place . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Trick No. 5
Piercing the balloon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Trick No. 6
Guess the number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Trick No. 7
Pull out the glass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Trick No. 8
The matchstick leaves the box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Trick No. 9
The matchbox opens by itself . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Trick No. 10
The coin vanishes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Trick No. 11
Take the coin out of your pocket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Trick No. 12
The mystic banknote . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Trick No. 13
The sticky pencil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Trick No. 14
The flexible pencil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Trick No. 15
Guess the country and the fruit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
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Trick No. 16
Guessing the messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Trick No. 17
Guessing the colour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Trick No. 18
Guess the cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Trick No. 19
Guess the card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Trick No. 20
Guess the card again . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Trick No. 21
Guess the card once more . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Trick No. 22
Guess two cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Trick No. 23
Guess the card sequence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Trick No. 24
Guess the number again . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Trick No. 25
Take the tube off the string . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Trick No. 26
Taking the jacket off the rope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Trick No. 27
Take the cube off the string . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Trick No. 28
Take the ring off the string . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Trick No. 29
Taking the ring off the string . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Trick No. 30
Taking the ring off the String in a different way . . . . . . . . . . 62
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TRICK No. 1
MAKE THE WATER DISAPPEAR
lasses and mugs are props often used in magic, but only a G combination of several glasses or mugs gives a really interesting effect, as you will see from this trick. Take a mug and turn it upside-down, as shown in figure 1, making it clear to everyone that it is empty (fig. 2).
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Take a glass with some water in it (fig. 3) and pour it into the mug (fig. 4). Now once again turn the mug upside-down, as you did in figure 2, but there will be no water in it, because it has disappeared!
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MATERIALS
– a ceramic mug – a glass of water – a sponge
HOW THE TRICK IS DONE
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ou can perform this trick almost everywhere, but a little advance Ypreparation which no one may be allowed to see is necessary. Jam a thick piece of sponge into the mug (fig. 5) and make sure it does not drop out when you show the 'empty' mug (fig. 2). After you have shown it to your audience, pour some water into it (fig. 4). Now turn it upside-down, but no water will run out because the sponge has soaked it up. You must take care exactly how much water you pour in, because you want to prevent the water and the sponge from dropping out together. To measure the exact quantity needed, practice by pouring the water in gradually and turning the mug upside-down. Of course you must never fill the whole mug with water!
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Sponge
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NOTE
Before inserting the sponge cut it in the shape of the mug's bottom, only a little wider so that it does not slide out.
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TRICK No. 2
THE NAPKIN VANISHES
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down at a table. Take a paper napkin, Sitopen it out, stretch it out along a diagonal and grip a corner with your left hand so that its tip protrudes several centimetres from your hand (as shown in figure 1). Grab the opposite corner with your other hand (fig. 2), bunch it as shown in figure 3, and push it into the palm of your left hand (fig. 4). Now close your left hand into a fist, and when you open it again only the bit that had protruded from your fingers at the beginning will remain (fig. 5).
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MATERIALS
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– a single layer of paper napkin
HOW THE TRICK IS DONE
This trick is very simple! Try it and see! Once you have closed your fist with the napkin in it, grip the bunched bit hard with the bottom three fingers and the top end with you thumb and index finger, and then pull it up with the top two fingers (fig. 6). The napkin will tear (fig. 7). The audience may not be allowed to see this, so choose a suitable moment and place your hand on the edge of the table (fig. 8). Now let the bottom half of the napkin drop into your lap, while keeping your grip on the top corner. Now raise your hand, open your palm and show your audience that the napkin has vanished and left only the tiny corner.
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TRICK No. 3
MAGIC RUBBER BANDS CHANGE PLACES
a lightning trick that has to be Thisperformed fast. Place two rubber bands
and when you open your hand again (fig. 2) the rubber bands will have swapped places!
of different colour on your right hand as shown in figure 1. Now make a fist (fig. 2),
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MATERIALS
– two ordinary rubber bands of different colour
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HOW THE TRICK IS DONE the two rubber bands into your Take right hand. Place, say, a red one around your index and middle fingers, and a green one on your ring and little fingers (fig. 1). This the audience may see, but everything else that you do the audience must not see. Raise your hand up at an angle of about 45 degrees (fig. 4) with its back to the audience. From that position the viewers will not be able to see what you are doing, and that is very important. After you have raised your hand (figs. 4 and 5), pull one band across the other, as shown in figure 6 (it does not matter which will be on top). Now insert the index and middle fingers of your left hand into the small space where the bands have crossed (fig. 7). Move your index finger to the right and middle finger to the left to widen the space (fig. 8). Now bend the upper four fingers of your right hand down into the expanded space (fig. 9). Let go of the rubber band with the left hand and position your fingers as shown in figure 10. Now all you have to do is stretch your fingers out again, and the magic rubber bands will switch places (fig. 3)!
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TRICK No. 4
THE PAPER CHANGES PLACE trick first put a rubber band Toondoyourthisindex finger and another on
have four stretched rubber bands between your hands.
the ring finger of your left hand (fig. 1). Now thread the index finger and ring finger of your right hand through the rubber bands, as shown in figure 2. Now spread your hands (fig. 3), raise them and incline them a little towards yourself, and insert your thumbs under the rubber band which is around your ring fingers (fig. 4) and then pull the thumbs back towards yourself (fig. 5). Now insert the ring fingers of both hands into the space between the rubber bands (fig. 6). Insert your middle fingers into the gap between the rubber bands (fig. 7), and then do the same with both index fingers, as shown in figure 8, and then simultaneously take both thumbs out (fig. 9). You will now
Get someone to place a bent piece of paper across the rubber band closest to you (fig. 10) and hold the ends. Now stretch the bands and return to the initial position (fig. 10). The paper will now be across the second rubber band (fig. 11). Repeat the movement – the paper will now be on the third rubber band (fig. 12). Repeat the movement – the paper will now be on the fourth rubber band (fig. 13).
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This means that the paper gradually migrated from the first to the fourth rubber band, although it had initially been held attached to the first.
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MATERIALS – two identical ordinary rubber bands – a piece of paper (fig. 14)
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HOW THE TRICK IS DONE that is shown in figures 1 Dotoeverything 9. Figure 9 shows how your audience sees your hands and the rubber bands, while figure 15 shows what the audience does not see – the fingers and rubber bands from figure 9, only from the other side, as you yourself see them. Using your thumbs you have moved the lower part of the rubber band forward (in the operation shown in figure 9). The secret of the trick lies in skillfully lowering the upper rubber band so that it becomes the bottom one, because it actually is the one the bottom one. This is how you do it. Bend the piece of paper and hang it over the upper rubber band (which is in fact the bottom one, only your audience doesn’t know that), as in figure 10. Spread your hands quickly, as in figure 16. While your hands are in this position, pull out your index fingers simultaneously and return your hands to the starting position. The paper will now be on the second
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stretched rubber band (fig. 17). When you next spread your hands apart and return them, this time pull out your middle fingers. The paper will now be on the third band (fig. 18). Repeat the movement, only this time pull out your ring fingers – the paper will be on the bottom rubber band (fig. 19). So while you are doing the trick and stretching the rubber bands and contracting them again, first pull out your index fingers, the second time your middle fingers, and the third time your ring fingers. It is important to pull out your fingers simultaneously, and to bring your hands back to the starting position quickly and smoothly. The trick will be perfect only after you have practiced long and hand and synchonised your movements perfectly.
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TRICK No. 5
PIERCING THE BALLOON
are many tricks in which balloons There are pierced. You have seen some and even tried some, but this one is very different. Blow up an ordinary balloon well and seal it tightly (fig. 1). Now pierce it with a needle (fig. 2) – to the amazement of your audience, it will not burst!
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Give another needle to someone in the audience and ask them to try and pierce the balloon without bursting it (fig. 3), but they will never succeed – the balloon will always explode. Interesting, isn’t it?
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MATERIALS – an ordinary rubber balloon – two long needles
HOW THE TRICK IS DONE contrast to many other tricks, this one Inneeds no preparation at all. Once you
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have blown up the balloon and sealed it, pierce it where the rubber is the thickest – this is right at the top (fig. 2). In that case the balloon will not burst. If you pierce it anywhere on its sides, it is certain to explode. That is the reason why you should give the other needle to someone in the audience, because you actually want the balloon to burst. .
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TRICK No. 6
GUESS THE NUMBER
is a very interesting trick which can Thisbe performed anywhere. Tell someone to write any five single-digit numbers (for example: 3, 4, 6, 0, 1) and to add them up. In our case, the sum would be 3 + 4 + 6 + 0 + 1 = 14 Now ask that person to subtract this sum (14) from a five-digit number made up of the five digits in sequence (34601). In our example this would be
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34601 – 14 34587 Now ask the person to circle one of the digits in the result of the subtract; let us say he or she circled the 4. Now ask the person to read out the other digits one by one (3, 5, 8, 7). After a few moments, you will say: You have circled the number 4 which, of course, will be correct!
MATERIALS
– paper and pencil
HOW THE TRICK IS DONE secret of this trick lies in the Thenumber 9 – in the fact that the result of the subtraction must be a number divisible by 9 (that the sum of the number’s digits must be divisible by 9), which means that it can only be one of the following numbers: 9, 18, 27, 36 etc. plus 9. If the sum of the numbers the person listed is 9, 18, 27 or 36, the it is certain that he or she picked and circled the number 0. In our example the sum of the numbers is 3 + 5 + 8 + 7 = 23. If we look at our
sequence from 9 to 36, the number 23 is greater than 18 and less that 27. (Always make sure you proceed from the smaller number to the bigger one.) The number 23 is 4 less than 27 – which means that our spectator has circled a 4. If the spectator tells us that the sum is 8, this means that he has circled a 1, because 9 – 8 = 1. All you have to do is calculate the difference between your number and the next higher number divisible by 9.
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TRICK No. 7
PULL OUT THE GLASS
for this trick are a little unusual The– aprops box of matches, two matchsticks and a glass of water. Magic contains numerous seemingly impossible combinations like this one, yet they are all possible. Take two matchsticks from the matchbox and jam one between the box and the tray (fig. 1). Place it upright next to a glass of water (fig. 2) and lay the other matchstick
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across the gap with the inflammable heads touching (fig. 3). The trick is how to pick up the glass and drink the water without touching the matches or the box. At first sight it seems impossible, but you will soon see that it is possible.
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MATERIALS
NOTE
– two boxes of matches – three matchsticks – a glass of water
You will need the help of an adult to light the matches for you!
HOW THE TRICK IS DONE Take the third Thematchtrickandis verystrikesimple. it on the second
As soon as they catch fire the matchstick bridging the gap will rise by itself and you can simply pick up the glass and take a sip of water. In this way you will have solved the problem successfully.
matchbox (fig. 4) and light the two touching matchsticks (fig. 5).
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TRICK No. 8
THE MATCHSTICK LEAVES THE BOX
a trick you can do at home, there Thisis aismatchbox in every home (fig. 1). Show your audience that have nothing in your hand but an apparently empty matchbox (fig. 1). Turn it around to show that there is nothing suspicious (fig. 2). Now place it on the palm of your hand as shown in figure 3, bunch your fingers together and close the box (fig. 4). Once you have opened up your fist, quite inexplicably a matchstick will be lying in the palm of your hand (fig. 5). Now let your audience inspect the matchbox and the match.
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MATERIALS
– an empty matchbox – a matchstick
HOW THE TRICK IS DONE performing the trick, open the Before matchbox and place the matchstick diagonally between the tray and the box (fig. 6). You are now ready for the trick. Show the box to your audience and do everything as explained until figure 3. Now squeeze the box shut – as you are doing so, you are in fact pushing the
matchstick into your palm (fig. 7). When you have closed the matchbox (fig. 4) and then open your hand, the matchstick will be in your palm (fig. 5). You can then let your audience inspect the matchbox and the match, but they will not be able to find anything unusual.
NOTE
Instead of an empty matchbox, you can also use a full one – everything else is the same..
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TRICK No. 9
THE MATCHBOX OPENS BY ITSELF
ou can do this trick anywhere. If you learn to do it well, it will be very Yentertaining. Take a full matchbox out of
forward, and to everyone’s amazement the box will close by itself (fig. 2).
your pocket (fig. 1), move your hand
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MATERIALS – a box of matches – very thin fishing line (0.08 – 0.1 mm) – a needle and a safety pin
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HOW THE TRICK IS DONE efore doing the trick you will have to prepare the matchbox. Take the tray B out and begin working on the sleeve. Pierce the sleeve with the needle as shown in figure 3. Now thread the fishing line through the hole and tie a double knot at its end (fig. 4). Now measure out the length of line needed (fig. 5), depending on how long your arm is. It is better if it is quite short – the distance between your waistband and outstretched hand with your elbow by your belly. Now hold the matchbox and tray as shown in figure 6. As you insert the tray, you will also push the fishing line into the box. Now attach the other end of the line with a safety pin to your waistband and put the
matchbox into your pocket. When you do the trick take it out of your pocket and hold it in your hand (fig. 1) so that the fishing line runs between your index and ring fingers and underneath your hand (fig. 7) so that the audience cannot see it. Now as you move your hand towards the audience the matchbox will slide open, as shown in figure 2. How does it open? Look at figure 8 and you will understand. As you are holding the sleeve firmly the fishing line will stretch and pull the tray backwards, thereby opening the matchbox!
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TRICK No. 10
THE COIN VANISHES
1 a coin on the palm of your left Place hand (fig. 1), cover it with your right hand (fig. 2), lift you hand and the coin will be gone (fig. 3)!
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MATERIALS
– any coin – very thin fishing line (0.08 – 0.1 mm)
HOW THE TRICK IS DONE he coin needs to be prepared before you do the trick. Using a small piece of Tadhesive tape and a length of fishing line, attach the line to the coin as shown in figure 4. Now place the coin on the palm of your left hand and thread your thumb through the loop, as shown in figure 5. Make sure the length of the loop is exactly as shown in figure 5. Now show the coin to your audience and cover it with your right hand, as shown in
figure 2. Move the upper hand in a circular motion while keeping the bottom hand still. In this way you are moving the coin up and across the base of your thumb (fig. 6) and then to the other side of your hand (fig. 7). When you lift your hand the audience will not be able to see the coin hanging on the other side of your hand, held by the invisible fishing line.
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TRICK No. 11
TAKE THE COIN OUT OF YOUR POCKET
is another coin trick with a very Thisinteresting effect. Get someone from the audience to stand next to you, unbutton his or her jacket and empty the left pocket. Get someone else to place a coin into that pocket and then to show that they have nothing in their hand. Allow others, if they want, to check that the coin is in the pocket, and then you yourself check.
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Now get your subject to grip the coin and hold it as shown in figure 1. Show your audience that there is nothing in your left hand (fig. 2), insert it under the jacket and tell your subject to continue gripping the coin. But you will still be able to steal the coin (fig. 3) - even if your subject believes that the coin is still there, it will have vanished! Just as if there was a hole in the pocket. How did the coin pass through the pocket?
MATERIALS
– two identical coins
HOW THE TRICK IS DONE relatively simple trick - of Thiscourse,is aif you know how to do it. After
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your subject and everyone else have checked that the coin is in the pocket, you will also check, but you will in fact secretly take the coin out with your right hand and at the same time insert another identical coin with your left hand under the jacket, telling your subject to grip it and hold it. By showing that you hand is empty (fig. 2) you will convince your audience even more, but they will not know that you have already extracted the coin! Although your subject will think that they are holding the coin, it will suddenly appear in your hand (fig. 3). The whole trick involves a quick and crafty exchange of the coins.
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T
hese books are amusing collections of magician tricks that can be easily performed by children and adults. The author, who is a professional magician, reveals the secrets of tricks with baloons, matches, coins, ropes, playing cards...
Extremely interesting...
extremely easy...